Who is Shenkman?

Shenkman is Waldo's father. He is a banker in his 40s. He often yells at his son, Waldo, chastising him for his passion for astronomy often. His internal monologue makes him seem like a man who is disappointed with his life, even as he enjoys all the material comforts of a successful career. He takes his anger out by frequently using his rowing machine. It becomes evident that Shenkman's behavior toward Waldo is a vestige of his childhood; his father was abusive and often yelled at and demeaned him. However, after the incident where Waldo runs away and witnesses Mimi's death, he tries to become much more gentle. He generally carries himself with lots of anger and doesn't really understand how to make it go away.